Theme: CHRISTIANITY AND SECULAR EDUCATION
Text: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21.
Comment: The knowledge of science is beneficial to man’s existence and survival, as it helps man to understand himself and his environment and to avoid actions that are harmful to himself and the society. However, when Science goes against God Almighty, as in denying His existence, His Almightiness and His purpose of creation, then it should be rejected.
The text for today shows that right from the time of the early Apostles, true knowledge or teachings of the Bible had been challenged by those who claim to be men of knowledge. Man’s lack of faith makes him rely so much on the knowledge of only what he can see and touch. Apostle Paul, writing to his spiritual son, Timothy, therefore advised him (which also applies to all Christians), to hold firmly to, and guard jealously, the truth that he had been taught and to stay away from the knowledge of the world or of science, that can corrupt his knowledge about God, which is paramount for salvation. He had earlier warned: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8). In his admonition to Timothy, St. Paul stated: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1 Timothy 4:16.